The opposition on Wednesday filed an adjournment motion with the Senate for debate on IMF proposal to devalue the currency by 10 percent to boost exports. Expressing concern over the development, opposition senators cautioned that any depreciation of the rupee would be disastrous and would not lead to any significant increase in exports.
They contended in the motion that assessment of the state of national economy by the donor agency ran contrary to the government's "oft-trumpeted policy" of having achieved a turnaround in the economic sector.
"The matter is of national importance. Therefore, by suspending the House routine business, it should be debated," the motion, signed by Raza Rabbani, Safdar Abbasi, Farooq H Naik, Rukhsana Zuberi, Enver Baig and Saadia Abbasi said.
In another motion, the opposition sought discussion on a news item saying that National Reconstruction Bureau Chairman Daniyal Aziz had diverted 98 percent funds from the community empowerment allocations for his own constituency. The opposition referred to the recent resignation by NRB chief executive, protesting against the diversion of funds.
Raza Rabbani, Asfandyar Wali, Ishaq Dar, Zaheeruddin Babar, Rukhsana Zuberi, Khurshid Ahmed and Safdar Abbasi signed the motion. Talking to Business Recorder, Izhar Amrohvi said that if and when the Senate session is summoned, the opposition would press for a debate on these two "important issues" and would raise them on points of order, if these were ruled out of order. Alliance for Restoration of Democracy parliamentary secretary Izhar said that the opposition might consider filing a requisition, in case the government sought a long break vis-à-vis the session.